Colts 2016 player preview: Outside linebacker Earl Okine

The Indianapolis Colts will report to training camp on July 26 (TODAY!) with their 90-man roster, which will be cut down to 53 players by the end of the preseason. To pass the time until camp, we’re taking a look at every player on the Colts’ 90-man roster. Today, we’re looking at outside linebacker Earl Okine.

Who is he?

The Colts signed Earl Okine as a free agent last offseason, though it took him a while to get to that point. He originally signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2013, though he was waived during the preseason. He then spent time with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL (2013), the Orlando Predators of the AFL (2014), and the Brooklyn Bolts of the FXFL (2014). The Colts signed him last offseason and he actually made the roster out of camp and preseason, but he was waived in October. The Colts signed him on the practice squad until they promoted him back to the active roster in mid-December. He played in five games total, recording five tackles. This offseason, the Colts moved him to outside linebacker in an attempt to generate some pass rush.

What is his role?

Just like every outside linebacker on the roster, Earl Okine has a very good shot at actually making the 53-man roster. Honestly, all any of the outside linebackers need to do is to show that they can provide anything in the way of pass rush and the Colts will stick with him to develop him. We don’t have any clue if that’s Earl Okine, as we haven’t seen him work at outside linebacker yet, but he’s got the size and athleticism to make the move very interesting, to say the least.

What are his chances?

Okine has a legitimate chance of making the roster due to the spots that are open, but it depends on how he does in camp and preseason as compared to the other young pass rushers.